Huntsville gazette., 1887-05-21
RESOLUTIONS
Wool-Growers at Its Annual Session in
st. Louis-Important Legislation Callef

Adopted by the National Convention OF
Wool-Growers at Its Annual Session in
st. Louis-Important Legislation CalIef
For.
At the closing session of the National
Wool-Growers' Convention in st. Louis,
the following preamble and resolutions
were pr esented by the committee on reso-
lutions, and unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, The Wool and Cotton Exchange
of ST. Louis invited wool-growers, wool mer-
chants and manufacturers OF woOlenS from all
parts of the United States to meet in National
convention in this city on the 11th 18th and 18th
days of May, 1887, for the purpose OF consulta-
tion as to the common interests OF the three
classes named; and
merchants and manufacturers of woolenS have
accordingly assembled in the said city in Ma
tional convention, being the second National
convention Of persons representing the three
interests mentioned. and have deliberated upon
subjects in which they have common interest
and desire to give expression to some OF their
opinions and purposes; therefore,
Resolued. First. That this National Conven-
ton cordially invites the wool-growers, wool
merchants and manufa turers of woolens in the
United States to cooperate with encourage
and aid the National Wool Growers Assoca-
tion, the State and Territorial Wool-Growers
associations of the United States the several
wool merchants associations of the cities OF
the United States, the National Association or
Woolen Manufacturers, and all similar organ
izations, in securing such administration Of the
laws, such legislation and such action as may
be appropriate and necessary to promote their
joint and common interests, having due regard
to the interests of those engaged in all other
industries.
Second. That while the Wool Tariff act Of
March g. 1883, continues in force, we request
the Administration of the National Govern
ment to construe its provisions literally, with
a view to secure the beneficial effects Of pro-
lection to the wool and wooden industries OF
the United States, deciding all doubtful ques-
tions in such manner as to give American
woOl-growers and wooden manufacturers the
privilege of supplying the American market,
instead of giving it to foreigners; and we ask
that so-called ring waste, !" "garneted waste
and all similar secured products be classed, in
the language OF the said act OF 1883, as wool
imported in any other than ordinary condi-
tion," and be charged as such with the duty OF
sixty cents per pound. We ask that worsted
cloths known as 'coatings" and 'sult1ngs for
the purposes OF paying duties be claSSeu as
wooden cloths, and we request that prompt and
efficient measures be taken to prevent under
valuations Of WOOL Woolen and worsted goods.
and to detect and punish all such underyalua-
tions and other frauds upon the law.
Third. That the Tariff act OF 1893, even when
it is not evaded by undervaluatlons and other
frauds, has failed to give protection to wool
growers to the extent intended in good faith by
its trainers. They intended TO give all clothing
wool as specified in the act, protective duties
higher than on carpet woos But more than
half Of all so-called carpet woods, now imported
at a low rate OF duty, are used IN the manu-
facture OF clothing goods, thus defeating to
that extent the purpose Of the act OF 1883. And
to add to the evil the act imposes 10 higher
duty ON these carpet woods washed than un-
washed. The result Is that such wCols are
generally imported washed, thus paying q duty
Of but little more than onehalf the rate
specified for unWashed wool, equal only to
about about fourteen and one-half cents per
pound, and so increasing their importation
supplantng to a large extent American cloth
ing wool, and depriving it OF the protection in
tended to be afforded to it by the act OF 1883, to-
wit: A duty of at least twenty cents per pound
on washed clothing wool. In ike manner the acs
than on unwashed combing WOODS. Importers
have taken advantage of this to/generally i'm
port such OILS washed, thus giving to our
American long woods but little over half the
protection specified in the act of 1883 on un-
washed wools. Then. again. foreign clothing
woods are imported unwashed, but so fully di.
vested of leg, belly and brtch portion OF
heeces, and SO selected from the lightest and
best grades, that in practical effect the duty
actually paid is but little over half the rate
fixed by the act of 1888 as applied to such
wools, if in the condition in which American
unwashed woods are generally sold in market.
In these forms the protection which the trainers
of the act of 1888 intended should be afforded
thereby to American wool l-growers is in large
measure defeated These facts call for change
in the execution of the law and a speedy modl-
fication of it by Congress, SO that it shall give
the full measure OF protection intended by It's
trainers
Fourth. That experience under the act OF
March 3, 1883, has demonstrated that 1t has so
reduced the previous rates of duty on woods
that the annual imports Of foreign wOols of all
classes have largely increased, thereby de-
priving American wool growers OF the privilege
Of supplying our market with American WOOL
that its effect has been 10 discourage Amer-
can wool production, to reduce the number OF
American fiocSs and sheep and our annual wool
product; that it has encouraged foreign wool
growing to the prejudice of our own to such an
extent as to threaten the speedy destruction
OF wool-growing in most, II not all, OF
the States, and hence public policy,
good faith and justice require an In
crease of duties, to save from ruin this industry
in which citizens of the United States were, by
the act of March 2, 1887. invited to, and did In
vest their capital and employ their skiil ana
labor. Having thus acted on the faith OF a
policy established by Congress, its overthrow
is an act of spoliation and wrong.
Fifth That this convention request Congress
to so amend the existing tariff law as in due
time to secure to Amer can woolgrowers and
to American manufacturers of woolens the
American market for their products
Sixth That the continuance OF the act OF
March g. 1888, will be unjust to the American
wool growers and manufacturers. The I'M
mense frauds which have been perpetrated by
undervaluations and evasiOns, show the neceS-
sity for an immediate amendment, imposing
the penalty of forfeiture for undervaluations
and evasions and providing inducements for
nformers to detect all frauds and evasions.
Seventh. That the associations OF wool-groW-
ers, wool merchants and woollen manufacture
ers be, and are requested to act in concert, In
sending delegates to Washington City, to re-
main during the next session Of Congress to
urge upon the proper committees and upon
Congress the necessity of legislation in accord
ance with these resolutions
Eighth That the wool-growers organizations
of the country are requested to secure the serV-
ices of at least one able expert, whose duty 1t
shall be to argue before the Treasury Depart
ment and the courts, all questions as to the con-
struction and enforcement OF the Tariff law and
before the proper committees of Congress the
necessity for additional legislation
Ninth. That the associations OF woolen manu-
facturers be requested to retain and keep IN
their employ at least one able expert to render
such services as may be essential to their IN
terests.
Tenth. That the wool growers, wool mer-
chants and wooden manufacturers of the United
States are urged 10 attend the conventions OF
the political parties with which they may re-
spectively cooperate and, so lar as possible,
aid in securing the nomination OF candidates,
pledged to the reforms and legislation desired.
Eleventh That the associations OF WOOL
growers, of wool merchants and wooden manu-
facturers be, and are, requested to take the
necessary measures to secure the establish
ment of an ably-conducted weekly newspaper
devoted to the advocacy of their just and joint
interests.
Twelfth. That this convention earnestly re-
quests the Wool-Growers' associations and
Wool Merchants associations Of the country to
unite in demanding from the railroads proper
freight classification OF woods in transit.
Thirteenth. That the thanks of this National
convention be rendered to the merchants exc.
cutiye committee and the various SubcOmmit-